Chapter 37: Level 10

After a two-hour journey, Max reached the inn where he was greeted by Chef Edward and Ana. They had been informed by Head Butler Nois about Max's departure, and it was clear that his return was anticipated. Max felt a mix of emotions as he stepped back into the familiar environment of the inn.

Chef Edward looked at Max with a curious expression. "Max, how did everything go at the count's mansion? Did you have a successful day?"

Max hesitated for a moment, wondering how much he should reveal about the events at the mansion. "It was... an interesting experience, Chef Edward. I cooked for the count's son's marriage ceremony, and I learned a lot from it."

Ana chimed in, her eyes full of curiosity. "That sounds amazing, Max! Tell us more about it. What kind of dishes did you prepare?"

Max decided to share some details about the dishes he had created, keeping the more concerning aspects of his experience to himself. He could sense that the inn was filled with a sense of warmth and camaraderie, and he was eager to immerse himself in that atmosphere once more.

Max spent an engaging hour with Ana, sharing the stories of his journey while leaving out certain details, such as the count's betrayal and the identity of Elizabeth. Ana listened with great curiosity, and Max was grateful for her understanding and willingness to hear him out.

As their conversation came to a close, Max expressed his appreciation, saying, "Ana, thank you for being such a good friend. It's been a challenging day, and it means a lot to me that I can share my experiences with you."

Ana smiled warmly and replied, "Max, you're not just our chef's disciple; you're part of our little inn family. We're here to support each other through thick and thin. If you ever want to talk or need help with anything, don't hesitate to reach out."

Max's heart warmed at her words, and he nodded appreciatively. With a sigh, he added, "I think I'm going to retire to my room for the rest of the day. It's been quite an eventful journey, and I could use some rest."

"Of course," Ana said, "Take your time, and if you need anything, just let us know. Rest well, Max."

With that, Max made his way to his room, leaving behind the day's adventures as he looked forward to some well-deserved rest and the promise of a new day in the world of mana-infused cooking.

Max reclined on his modest inn bed, exhaustion etched into every line on his face. The day's experiences weighed heavily on his mind, especially the stark contrast between the grandeur of the count's manor and the disdain he had endured.

He pondered the path ahead, the opportunities and challenges that lay beyond his current station in life. In the quiet of his room, a profound sense of determination coursed through him.

He contemplated how he could reshape his destiny, aspiring to escape the limitations imposed upon him by birth.

The day's disappointments mingled with his aspirations, a mix of fuel and fire that fueled his inner resolve.

His eyelids grew heavy, and with a profound sigh, Max yielded to the pull of sleep. His thoughts, once consumed by the harsh realities of his situation, now gave way to the visions of a brighter future, one where he would rise above adversity and seize the culinary world by storm. As the room dimmed into slumber, his determination remained undiminished.

_ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _

In the softly lit kitchen, a captivating performance unfolded. The culinary symphony was a delightful harmony of sizzling ingredients, rhythmic clanging of utensils, and the delightful fragrances that mingled in the air.

Amidst the gentle warmth of the flames, a lone figure stood in rapturous engagement with the culinary tableau. His skilled hands moved with grace and precision, weaving ingredients into a delectable tapestry of flavors.

The soul of the kitchen, the chef, wore a smile that radiated the genuine joy found in their craft. In this sanctuary of gastronomic creation, they transformed ordinary ingredients into extraordinary dishes. It was as if the kitchen itself came alive under their touch, pulsating with the promise of a remarkable meal.

'Knock! Knock!'

With a sudden knock on the door, the chef who had been engrossed in his culinary world was brought back to reality.

"Max, are you present? May I enter?," The voice belonged to none other than Ana, the inn's waitress. In the kitchen, it was Max who was doing the cooking.

As she entered the room, it was evident that she had a question or something to discuss.

Max, who had been lost in his thoughts, welcomed her with a deep and warm voice, inviting her further into the room.

Today marked the culmination of Max's 29-day apprenticeship under Chef Edward in the world of magic and swordplay known as "Aiden." This was a pivotal day for him.

The world of "Aiden," a realm of magic and swordplay, had become Max's new reality. His passion for cooking had led him to this point, and now he was ready to take the next step in his culinary journey.

"Is there anything I can help you with?" Max asked, his mind still preoccupied with reaching level 10 and what the system had revealed earlier about the potential of mana-infused food to get him there.

"Chef Edward actually wants to talk to you, and he's waiting for you in his room," Ana replied with a warm smile.

Max nodded and responded, "Sure, please tell Chef Edward that as soon as I finish the last dish I'm preparing, I'll meet with him."

"Of course," Ana said, and then she left the room, leaving Max to his culinary work.

After 10 minutes of dedicated work, Max received a notification, and a warm smile graced his face. It was a significant moment in his culinary journey.

With each dish he prepared, Max was inching closer to achieving his goal. The experience points and chef points he earned would propel him to new heights.

Max couldn't help but think about the day he first started as an apprentice under Chef Edward. Back then, he had been a novice, eager to learn and improve.

Today, he was a skilled mana chef, and his talents were evident in the dishes he crafted. The culinary world was vast and intricate, and Max was determined to explore every facet of it.

** 'Ding!' **

[Congratulations, Host, for creating one Super-grade 1st-tier mana-infused dishes.]

['Received 500 EXP']

[You have received 300 Chef Points.]

** 'Ding!' **

[Congratulations, Host, for advancing to level 10. You can check in the status window.]

** 'Ding!' **

[Congratulations, Host, for advancing to 1st tier Mage. Rady to merge]

** 'Ding!' **

[Congratulations, Host, for advancing to 1st rank Swordsman. Ready to merge]

** 'Ding!' **

[Congratulations, Host, for advancing to 1st rank Spearman. Ready to merge]

…

Max was dumbfounded. He hadn't expected to gain so much from his recent endeavors. Despite his eagerness to explore the system further and review the extent of his achievements, he knew he had a prior commitment.

With newfound determination, Max put aside his desire to check his rewards and made his way to Chef Edward's room. There was a conversation he needed to have and valuable insights to gain before he continued his culinary journey.